Man charged in double homicide was principal of Sagkeeng high school, chief says

The chief of Sagkeeng First Nation has confirmed the high school's former principal is the person charged by RCMP in a double homicide from 2017.

Claude FrancisGuimondwas charged with two counts of first-degree murder on Wednesday, in connection with theFeburary2017 deaths of two men at a home in the village of St-Georges, Man.

Guimond was previously principal of nearby Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School in Sagkeeng First Nation,about 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

"He is no longer in the school right now at this time," SagkeengChief Derrick Henderson said Thursday. "We have a totally different principal that is there right now."

Henderson said Guimondwent on leave more than a year ago because afamily member was ill.

However, notes written to students on Facebook indicateGuimondwas principal in December 2017. He is still listed as the principal on the Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School website and Facebook page.

Targeted shooting

A note from the schoolin February 2018 identifies the vice-principal as interim principal.

Shortly after the deaths, in March2017, police said the two men were victims of a targeted shooting.

The following month, in his capacity as principal at the school, Guimondleda group of students on a trip to Franceto visit the Vimy Memorial.

Also in April 2017,he spoke to CBC about the death of Serena McKay, a student at the school who was killed in the community.

When the charges were announced late Wednesday night, police said Guimond was living in Fort Alexander, about 13 kilometres away from St-Georges. Police said he remains in custody.

Guimondisn't the first person to be charged in connection with the killings. On March 2, 2017, RCMP charged another man fromSagkeengFirst Nation with two counts of second-degree murder. The charges were stayed one day later.

Jack Brisco, reeve of the Rural Municipalityof Alexander, said it's terrible and "shocking" that someone who is viewed as an upstanding citizen is charged. At the same time, people are relieved there is some closure.

"For the community, I feel very happy that the RCMP did their job, and I know a lot of people were saying, 'It's taking so long,' but I'm glad they did a thorough investigation," he said.

"And I'm hoping that the family is feeling some kind of relief."